Work holder



May '14, 1940. 1'. M. LILLEBE RG 2,200,927

I WORK HOLDER Filed March 9, 1939 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 May 14, 1940. 'r. M.LILLEBERG WORK HOLDER 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed March 9} 1939 v Wifizmarz &w

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T. M; LILLEBERG 2,200,927

WORK HOLDER Filed March 9; 1939 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 I Zijya Patented May14, 1940 UNITED STATES WORK HOLDER Tideman M. Lilleberg,

Chicago, 111., assignor to The Nye Tool & Machine Works, a corporationof Illinois Application March 9, 1939, Serial N0. 260,846

1'7 1 Claims.

My invention relates to work holders of the type having jaws to receivebetween them the work to be held, such as for example a pipe to bethreaded.

v One of my objects is to provide a novel, simple, and positivelyoperating construction of holder of the type referred to. I

Another object is to provide a construction of holder which may bequickly and easily operated to clamp the work therein in properlycentered position.

Another object is to provide a construction of holder which may bequickly and easily operated to clamp the work therein regardless of itscross sectional size within certain limits.

Another object is to provide a construction of work holder wherebythrough a single drive element work, regardless of its cross sectionaldimension, within certain limits, may be rigidly clamped in the propercentered position; and other objects as will be manifest from thefollowing description.

Referring to the accompanying drawings:

Figure 1 is a view in end elevation, partly sectional, of pipe threadingmechanism comprising a work holder constituting one of the forms inwhich my invention may be embodied.

Figure 2 is a section taken at the line 2 on Fig. 1 and viewed in thedirection of the arrow.

30 Figure 3 is a fragmentary view like Fig. 1 showing. in elevation theparts illustrated in section in Fig. 1 and with other parts sectioned.

Figure 4 is a fragmentarysectional view taken at the line 4 on Fig. 3and viewed in the direction of the arrow.

Figure 5 is a sectional view of certain of the parts shown in Figs. 1-4.v

Figure 6 isa view in elevation of one of the jaws of the device.

Figure 7 is a plan view of certain of the-parts of the structure shownin Fig. 5, these parts being viewed at the line 1 in this figure.

Figure 8 is an end view of the jaw of Fig. 6.

Figure 9 is a fragmentary view of the structure of Fig. 5 viewing it inthe direction of the arrow 9 in this figure.

Figure 10 is a fragmentary sectional view of a jaw-equipped portion ofthe device of Figs. 1 and 2.

Figure 11 is a view in side elevation, partly sectional, of agear-equipped sleeve forming a part of the structure shown in Fig. 10.

Figure 12 is a view like Fig. 1 of another form of structure embodyingmy invention.

Figure 13 is a section taken at the line l3 on Fig. 12 and viewed in thedirectionof the arrow. Figure 14 is a view like Fig. 1 of still anotherform of structure embodying my invention; and Figure 15, a section takenat the line l5 on Fig. 14 and viewed in the direction of the arrow.Referring to the construction shown in Figs. 1-11, inclusive, itcomprises a ring member l6 formed of sections I! and i8 havingregistering annular channels forming an annular recess IS,

the sections l1 and [8 being shown as secured tolo gether as by screws20.

The section l8 has arms one of which is shown at 2|, extending therefromlengthwise of the device and connected with a ring portion 22 internallythreaded at 23 at which it is adapted to u have threaded connection, inaccordance with common practice, with a carrier 24 (a portion only ofwhich is shown) for the thread-cutting chasers (not shown) for cutting athread on a pipe, such as the pipe 25 rigidly clamped, against rotation,in the work holder of which the rings l6 and 22 are parts.

The ring section I1 is provided with a pluv rality of radially movablejaws shown as three in number and designated at 26, 21 and 28, and sub-25 stantially equidistantly spaced around the ring I6.

The jaws 26-48 are ings in the ring section circular cross sectionalshape as shown of'one 30 of these openings at 29 in Figs. 5 and 9. Thejaws 26-28 at their inner end portions are of a cross sectional shape toslidingly fit the openings in the ring section ll, having opposite flatsides as represented at 30, whereby these jaws are held againstrotation.

The end faces of the jaws 26-28 have cross grooves 3i and are chamferedas shown at 32 to form biting edges.

The jaws 26 and 21 are externally threaded at their outer ends asrepresented at 33 at which" portions they screw into the internalthreads of rotatable sleeves 34 surrounding them and. located in similarrecesses in the ring section H, the recess for the one of the sleeves 34surrounding the jaw 26, being shown at 35. I The inner ends of thesleeves 34 are provided with similar pinions, the pinion for the sleeve34 surrounding the jaw 26, being shown at 36, bushings 31 screwed intothe threaded outer ends of the recesses referred to, in conjunction withthe end walls of these recesses, holding the sleeves 34 againstlongitudinal movement.

The pinions on the sleeves 34 mesh with a ring gear 38 'rotatably'confined in the recess IS,

slidable in radial open- Il, each being of nonend asshown at 39 at whichportion it engages threaded connection with the move the latteroutwardly.

an internal thread 40 on a rotatable sleeve 4| extending at its innerend into a recess 42 ..in

the ring section H at the opening 29, the inner end of the sleeve 4|having an external annular flange 43. Surrounding the sleeve 4| is, arotatable sleeve 44 annularly recessed at 45 torreceive the flange 43and having a pinion 46 thereon identical with the pinions on the sleeves34. A

bushing 4'! screwed into the recess 42,'in con junction with the endwall of this recess, prevents lengthwise movement of the sleeve 44 andsuch movement of the sleeve 4| is prevented bythe overlapping of theflange 43 with the inner end of the sleeve 44.

Surrounding the outer end of the sleeve 48 and secured thereto, as byrivets 48, "is asleeve 49 having an expanded end 50 surrounding theouter end of the sleeve 44, the'sleeve 53 having arcuate recess 5| for apurpose hereinafter explained. v

Located between the expanded endfiii of the sleeve 49 and thesleeve"4|,is a coil spring '52, 'under tension tending'to'uncoil, oneend thereof, represented at 53, being connected with the sleeve 49 andits other end 54 connected with the gear sleeve 44.

vTheg'ear sleeve 44 is provided with a pin 55 'which'extends into thearcuate recessfil. The'sleeves 4| and 49 which form a single rotatableunit, are provided with handl'e'means by which to rotate them, asforexample the sliding bar handle shown'at 56a which is slidablecrosswise of these sleeves in openings provided therein. "Inthe use ofthe work holder the operator rotates the sleeves 4| and 49 incounterclockwise direction in Fig. 4 to withdraw the jaws 26, 21 and 28sufficiently'to permit the-pipe '25 to be slid into the space betweenthese jaws. The jaw 23 is moved outwardly by the threaded engage merit"of the sleeve 4 with the jaw and'the jaws 26 and El aresimilarly movedsimultaneously -with the jaw 28 by the rotationof the gear sleeve "'44through the engagement of 1 the end Wall 5 la of the slot 5| with thepin 55', the gear sleeve 44 "in rotating driving the rmgear w whichlatter,

in turn, rotates the sleeves 34 which through their jaws 253 and 2'! Toclamp'the'pipe in place, the operatorrotates the sleeves 4| and 45 inclockwise direction'in Fig. 4. The jaw'28 is'moved inwardly bythefrotation of the sleeve 4| and the jaws-26 and "21 are simultaneouslymoved inwardly with the "jaw' 28 through the medium of thesleeves 34,

ringgear 38, gear sleeve 44, and spring 52, the

spring'52 being under such tension in the normal position of the partsthat through "it thejaws' 26 and 21 move simultaneouslyihward, with thejaw ?|i,*it being understood that the drive of the gear-sl-eeve *44= isthrough the medium of this spring. All of the jaws continue'theirsimultaneous inward movement until they engage the pipe "25'urider apressure exceeding the tension of the spring 52.

'sleev es4l and 49 throughout a partial revolution The'operatorcontinues'to rotate the thus causing the jaw 28to continue tomove-inwardly and effect tight clamping of the pipe within the holder.It will be understood that" in this final rotative movement of thesleeves 4| and 49 the spring 52, because of its connection with the gearsleeve 44, which latter has 5 become stationary, is increased intension, the recess 5| permitting the sleeves 4| and 49 to thus-continuetheir rotation after the movement of the gear sleeve 44 has beenarrested. The

threaded connection between the jaw 39 and 10 f the sleeve 4| issufficiently fine as to prevent the jaw 28 from moving outwardly afterhaving once been set in the clamped position stated.

The initial tensionlng of the spring 52 determines the pressure exertedby the jaws 26, 21 15 and 23 against the pipe in their simultaneousinward movement; the final inward movement of the jaw 28, independentlyof the jaws 26 and 27, efiecting the final clamping of the pipe in theWork holder. 7

To release the pipe from the holder the oper 'a'tor rotates the"sleeves*4| and 49' in counterclockwise direction in Fig. 4, the initialmovement of these sleeves moving the jaw 28 outwardly untilthe pin 55isengaged by the end wall 5| a 5 of the slot 5|, whereupon all of thejaws move simultaneously outward.

In the particular construction shown'ineans are-provided forholding'the-work in the holder in .such offset-center :positiongifdesired,as to {3D produce a so-called crooked thread on the pipev whenoperated on by the thread-cutting mechanism. These means comprise a jawmember 56' in the form ofa screwthreaded-in the jaw 26 which in thisinstanceds of tubular form. 'When a crooked thread is to be produced thejaw-mem- "ber 56 is preliminarily screwed -i-nwardly the=desireddistance 'beyond the'innerend-of the'jaw 23 for causing the pipe to -beclamped in the" desired off center position whenthe several jaws of thedevice are movedinwaurollybythemchanism above described.

The construction 'shown'in "Figs. 12 and:l3 is the s'ame'as' that'shownin Figs. 1 11, inclusive, except for the means which operate the ringgear 38 (to actuate"the jaws'zfi and fi) and the final pressureapplyingjaw (corresponding to the jaw 28) and'its operating means. V

this construction the final pressure applying jaw represented 'at itsinner end as repres ented at' fit at which portion it screws 'ina'threaded radial opening I 59 in the ring section |'|,":its outer-end zbeing equipped with a handle'tll asin the caseof the sleeves 4|. and 49of the construction shown in 5 Figs-1:11. I I

The ring section |-'|-conta'ins*a recess filat the opening 59in which arotatable sleeve 62 is located. This sleeve which::'surrounds, andiisspaced"from, the inner end of. the :jaw 51, has a .pinionts whichcorresponds to.. the',.pinionsii36 associated with thejaws 26 and21,:and meshes withlthe ring gear through which thejaws- 26 and 27.aredriven. ..A bushing 64 screwed into the recess 6|"servesthe samepurpose as the H55 bushings 3T.

n coil spring '55, under"tension 'tending to uncoil, is located in 1 thespace between the 'jaw 51 and the gear sleeve 62, one end 65 O-f -thisspring being'c'onnec-ted with the gear sleeve 62 W I The jaw 51 and thecollar 61 are connectedtos at*5'| is' externally threaded 5 Q gether torotate as a unit, but permit of lengthwise movement of this jaw relativeto the'collar, by a key 69 on the collar and extending into alongitudinal groove 18 in the jaw 51.

The collar 61 has a radial pin 1| which extends into an arcuate slot 12in the gearsleeve 62. The spring 65 is normally under tension tending touncoil, in whichcondition thepin 1| is in engagement with the end wall.13 of the slot 12.

To condition the holder to receive the pipe. 25, the operator rotatesthe jaw 51 in counterclockwise direction in Fig. 13 to withdraw the jaws26, 21 and 51 sufiiciently to permit the pipe to be slid into the spacebetween these jaws. The jaw 51 in this movement moves outwardly byreason of its rotation in the threaded opening 59; the jaws 26 and 21moving outwardly simultaneously with the jaw 51, by the pin 1| on therotating collar 61 (rotated by its key connection with the jaw 51)abutting the end wall 13 of the slot 12.

To clamp the pipe in place, the operator rotates the jaw 51 in clockwisedirection injFig. 13.

The jaw 51 moves inwardly by reason of its threaded connection with thering section I1 and the jaws 26 and 21 are simultaneously moved inwardlywith the jaw 51 through the medium of the sleeves 34, the ring gearmeshing therewith, the gear sleeve 62 and spring 65, the spring 65 beingunder such tension in the normal position of the parts that through itthe jaws 26 and 21 move simultaneously inward with the jaw 51. All ofthe jaws continuetheir simultaneous inward movement until they engagethe pipe 25 under a pressure exceeding the tension of the spring 65. Theoperator continues to rotate the jaw 51 throughout a partial revolutionthus caus' ing this jaw to continue to move inwardly and efiect clampingof the pipe within the holder, the parts assuming the positions shown inFigs. 12 and 13. In this final rotative movement of the jaw 51 thespring 65, because-of its connection with the gear sleeve 62,- whichlatter has become stationary, is increased in tension, the slot 12permitting the jaw 51 tothus continue its rotation after the movement ofthe gear sleeve 62 has been arrested in which movement of the jaw 51 thepin 1| moves away from the end wall 13 of the slot.

The pipe is released from the holder by reversely rotating the jaw 51,carrying the collar I 61 with it, the initial movement of the jaw 51causing the latter to move outwardly until the pin 1| engages the endwall 13 of the slot 12, whereupon all of the jaws move simultaneouslyoutward.

The construction shown in Figs. 14 and 15 is also the same as that shownin Figs. 1-11, inclusive,'except for the means which operate the ringgear 28 (to actuate the jaws 26 and 21) and the final pressure applyingjaw (corresponding to the jaw 28) and its operating means. I

In this construction I provide, in addition to the jaws 26 and 21', atubular jaw 14 externally threaded at 15 at which it engages an internalthread 16 in a radial opening 11 in the ring section H, the tubular jaw14 having a longitudinal key-way 18 and being internally threaded asrepresented at 19. i

The ring section |1 contains a recess 80 at the opening 11 in which arotatable sleeve 8| is located. This sleeve, which surrounds, and isspaced from, the inner end of the tubular jaw 14, has a pinion 82 Twhich corresponds to the pinions 36 associated with the jaws 26 and 21slid into place between these jaws.

and meshes with the ring gear through which the jaws 26 and 21 aredriven. A bushing 83 screwed into the recess serves the same purpose asthe bushings 31. I

The tubular jaw 14 and the gear sleeve 8| are connected together torotate as a unit, but permitting of longitudinal movement of the jaw 14relative to this sleeve, by a'key 84 on the interior of the gear sleeve8| and extending into the key-way 18.

Threaded in the jaw 14 is a supplemental jaw 85, its outer end beingequipped with a handle 86 as in the case of the sleeves 4| and 49 of theconstruction shown in Figs. 1-11.

A coil spring 81 undertension tending to uncoil, is located in the spacebetween the jaw and the gear sleeve 8|, one end 88 of this spring beingconnected with the gear sleeve 8| and its other end 89 connected with acollar 98 surrounding the jaw 85 and located in'the gear sleeve 8|. Awasher 9| holds the collar 98 in position in the sleeve.

The jaw 85 and the collar 98 are connected together to rotate as a unit,but to permit of lengthwise movement of this jaw relative to the collar,by a key 92 on the collar and extending into a longitudinal groove 93 inthe jaw 85.

The collar has a radial pin 94 which extends intoan arcuate slot 95 inthe gear sleeve 8|. The spring 81 is normally under tension tending touncoil, in which condition the pin 94 is in engagement with the end Wall96 of the slot 95.

To condition the holder to receive the pipe 25, the operator rotates thejaw 85 in counterclockwise direction in Fig. 15 to withdraw the jaws 26,21 and 14 (the jaw 65 being in. withdrawn position) sufiiciently topermit the pipe to be The pin 94 being in engagement with the end wall96 of the slot 95, the gear sleeve 8| and the gear sleeves 34 of thejaws 26 and 21 are rotated, moving all of the jaws outwardly, the keyand slot connection 84, 18, between the gear sleeve 8| and the jaw 14rotating the jaw 14 which latter by reason of its threaded engagementwith the threaded opening 15 in the ring flange |1 moves outwardly atthe same speed as the jaws 26 and 21.

To clamp the pipe in place the operator ro-' tates the jaw 85 inclockwise direction in Fig. 15. This causes the gear sleeve 8| to berotated through the medium of the spring 81 which, through the medium ofthe ring gear and the gear sleeves 34, moves the jaws 26 and 21 inwardlyand through the key andslot connection 84, 81, rotates the jaw 14thereby causing this jaw to screw inwardly in the opening 15simultaneously with, and at the same speed as, the jaws 26 and 21; itbeing noted that the jaw 85 advances inwardly withflthe jaw 14 turningwith the latter as a unit. The jaws 26, 21, 14 and 85 continue theirsimultaneous inward movement until the jaws 26, Hand 14 engage the pipe25 under a pressure exceeding the tension of the spring 81. The operatorcontinues to rotate the jaw 85 throughout a partial revolution thuscausing this jaw to continue to move inwardly, as inward movement of thejaw 14 has been arrested, for efiecting clamping of the pipe within theholder, the parts assuming the position in Figs. 14 and 15. In thisfinal rotative movement of the jaw 85 the spring 81, because of itsconnection with the gear sleeve 8|, which latter has becomestationary,is increased in tension, the slot 95 permltting the jaw to thuscontin'ue its rotation after the movement of the gear sleeve 8| has beenarrested, in which movement of the jaw 85 the pin 94 moves away from theend wall 96 of the slot 95.

The pipe is released fromthe holder by reversely rotating the jaw 85,carrying the collar with it, the initial movement of the jaw 85 causingthe latter to move outwardly by reason of its threaded connection withthe tubular jaw 'ldwhich is stationary at this time, until the'pin 94engages the end wall 96 of the .slot 95, whereupon the jaws 28, 21 and14 move outwardly.

As will be understood from the foregoing; the operation of tighteningthe clamping jaws against the work introduced into the holder isexceedingly simple requiring the application of force to a single memberonly for properly centering the work, regardless of its cross sectionaldimen-' sion within certain limits and finally clamping it insuchcentered position, the first portion of the movement of the meansengaged by the operator for actuating the jaws serving to center thepipe in the holder, and, the latter part of the movement of these means,continued in the same direction, exertingthefinal rigid clamping effectupon the work. 7 r

While I have illustrated and described certain constructions embodyingmy invention I do not wish to be understood as intending to limit theinvention thereto as the same may be variously modified and altered andthe invention embodied in other forms of structure without departingfrom the spirit of the invention.

What I claim as new and desire, to secure by Letters Patent, is:

1. A work holder having a plurality of workengaging jaws, and meanshaving a single actuating device operating when actuated to move all ofsaid jaws and comprising yieldable means by which certain only of saidjaws are operated inwardly, whereby when said device. is actuated all ofsaidjaws move inwardly until resisted, by

the work, whereupon said yieldable means yield and a predetermined oneof the jaws continues its inward movement.

2. A work holder having a plurality of work engaging jaws, a singledrive element and means actuated by said element operating when actuatedto move all of said jaws and comprising yieldable means by which certainonly of said jaws are operated inwardly, whereby when said element isactuated all of said jaws move inwardly until resisted by the work,whereupon said yieldable means yield and a predetermined one of the jawscontinues its inward movement.

3. A work holder having a plurality of worken gaging jaws, meansoperatingwhen actuated to move certain of said jaws, a single driveelement, yieldable means by whichsaid drive element drives saidfirst-named means for moving,

said last-referred-to jaws inwardly, and means operated by said driveelement for moving another predetermined one of said jaws inwardly withthe others thereof and continuing the inward movement of said jaw uponthe yielding of said yieldable means. I I

4. A work holder having a plurality of workengaging jaws, gear mechanismoperating, when actuated, to move certainof said jaws, a single driveelement, yieldable means by which said drive element drives saidmechanism for moving said-last-referred-to jaws inwardly, and meansoperated by said drive element for moving an-v other predeterminedfoneof saicljaws inwardly with the others thereof'and continuing the iinwardmovementof said jaw ;upon' the-yielding of said yieldable meansp.

5. A work holder having a plurality of workengaging. jaws, athreadedrrotatable sleeve with which one of said jaws has threaded engafiment,

a spring encircling'said sleeve, a .gear member,

said spring being connected with, said rotatable sleeve and said gearmember, and means operated by said gear member for moving the others ofsaid jaws.

6. A work holder having aplurality of workengaging. jaws, athreadedrotatable sleevewith I which oneoi said-jaws-has threadedengagement,

a spring. encircling said sleeve, a gear member encirclingsaid-rotatable sleeve,'a second sleeve rotatable with said rotatablesleeve and encircling said gear member, said spring being connected withsaid-rotatable sleeve and said. gear men1ber,'said second sleeve havingan elongated circumferential recess; a pin on said gear member extendinginto said recess, said spring being under tension, andmeans. operated bysaid gear member for moving the others of said jaws. a

7. A work holder having a plurality of workengaging jaws, a singlezdriveelement, a rigid drive connection between said element and one of saidjaws, and a yieldable. driverconnection b tweensaidelement and the otherofsaid jaws permitting saidelement to be moved and actuate the one ofsaid jaws with which it has rigid drive connection without moving saidother jaws when movement of said other work.

8. A work holder having a plurality of'workjaws is resisted by the 7engaging jaws one of which has'threaded connection with a stationarypart of the holder and to which drivingforce is applied for moving allof said jaws, a collar on said la'st-referred-to jaw keyed thereto to'bedriven when this jaw is rotated but-relative to which this jaw islongitudinally movable, a spring engaging said collar, and means drivenby said spring upon rotating said collar for moving the others of saidjaws.

9. A work holder having a plurality of workengaging. J'awsone of, whichhas threaded connection with astationary part of the holder and to whichdriving-force is applied for moving all of said jaws, a collar on saidlast-referredto jaw keyed thereto to be driven when this jaw is rotatedbut relative to whichthis jaw is longitudinally movable, a springengaging, said collar, means driven by said spring upon rotating saidcollar for moving the othersof said jaws, said means having an elongatedrecess and a pin on said collar extending into said recess, said springbeing under tension. 1 s

1-0. A work holder having aplurality of workengaging jaws one of whichhas threaded connecgear niember engaging said spring, and means drivenby said gear member, upon rotating said I co11ar, f0r movingthefothersof said jaws.

11. A work holder having a plurality of workengaging jaws one of whichhasthreaded connection with a stationary which driving force is appliedfor moving all of said jaws, a collar on said last-recferred-to jawkeyed thereto-to be, driven when this jaw is rotated but relative to,which this ,jaw'islongitudinally (Slit part of the holder and tomovable, a springengaging said collar, a gear member engaging saidspring, means driven by said gear member, upon rotating said collar, formoving the others of saidjaws, said gear member having an elongatedrecess and a pin on said collar extending into said recess, said springbeing under tension.

12. A work holder having a plurality of workengaging jaws, a driveelement, yieldable means between said jaws and said driving elementactuated by said element for moving all of said jaws to engage the work,said drive element having a jaw portion for engaging the work, and meanswhereby movement of said drive element after said yieldable means yieldcauses said last-named jaw to move against the work.-

13. A work holder having a plurality of workengaging jaws one of whichhas threaded engagement with a stationary part of the holdei and ishollow with an internal thread, a rotatable drive element in said hollowjaw and having a work-engaging portion and a threaded portion at whichitlengages said internal thread, and

'yieldable means between said jaws and said drive element actuated bysaid element for moving all of said jaws, said hollow jaw being movablelengthwise relative to said'means.

14. A work holder having a plurality of Workengaging jaws one of whichhas threaded .enagement with a stationary part of the holder and ishollow with an internal thread, a rotatable drive element in said hollowjaw and having a work-engaging portion and a threaded portion at whichling device operating during a portion of the movement of said device tocause said jaws to engage the work and in the continuing movement ofsaid means to cause clamping pressure to be initially applied at apredetermined point on one side of the work.

16. A work holder having a single drive element terminating in a workholding jaw, other work holding jaws and a yieldable drive connectionbetween said element and said other jaws permitting said element to bemoved and move said first-named jaw without moving said other jaws whenmovement of said other jaws is resisted by the work.

1'7. A work holder having a single drive element terminating in a workholding jaw, other work holding jaws, a member having drive connectionwith said element and relative to which said element is longitudinallymovable, and a yieldable drive connection between said member and theothers of said jaws permitting said element to be moved and move saidfirst-named jaw without moving said other jaws when movement of saidother jaws is resisted by the work.

' TIDEMAN M. LILLEBERG.

